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Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-18 03:33 UTC → 2026-09-27 14:43 UTC · added removed

In La Asunta, La Paz, community members seized a mining camp near the Boopi River following protests against a Chinese mining company. Demonstrators accused the firm of illegal exploitation, environmental pollution, and diverting river flow, which increased regional flooding risks. The unrest led to violent clashes, injuries, and the burning of heavy machinery. While police and the Public Ministry intervened, community leaders criticized the Administrative Mining Jurisdictional Authority (AJAM) for failing to address previous complaints. Following these events, the Federation of Mining Workers of Bolivia (FSTMB) demanded the dismissal of Mining Minister Marco Antonio Calderón. FSTMB executive Andrés Paye alleged that foreign companies from China and Brazil are partnering with local cooperatives in ways that leave local workers with only 20% of proceeds. The federation warned that illegal mining is linked to organized crime and environmental damage, vowing to continue protests until the government implements new laws to combat land grabbing and unregulated mining. In a related development, authorities conducted a joint operation with the Special Force for the Fight Against Environmental Crimes (FELCDA) in the Sorata municipality of La Paz. In the Mercalani 2 area of the La Acacia community, officials targeted a mining camp featuring modern machinery and an estimated $5 million investment. The operation resulted in the apprehension of 18 individuals, including 11 Chinese citizens and 7 Bolivians. Prosecutors have charged the group with the legitimization of illicit profits, noting that while the Nueva Vista Cooperative holds mining rights in the sector, unauthorized extractive activities were detected. Recent enforcement actions have unrest has expanded as AJAM identified large-scale operations to include nationwide protests by environmental activists in Villazón La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, and encountered dynamite explosions during inspections in Curva. Authorities have also detected unauthorized activities in Tarija against the Orkojahuira use of mercury and Irpavi basins in La Paz, specifically near cyanide. Activist Carmen Capriles stated that mining is turning parts of the country into “sacrifice zones” by contaminating water reserves and drinking water treatment plants. wildlife. Meanwhile, in the Pando Amazon region, the Central Indígena de los Pueblos Originarios de la Amazonia de Pando (CIPOAP) announced plans to forcibly evict gold mining cooperatives from the Madre de Dios River by September 30.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-27 14:43 UTC Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia
  2. 2026-09-18 03:33 UTC Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia
  3. 2026-09-06 19:54 UTC Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia
  4. 2026-09-05 02:39 UTC Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia
  5. 2026-08-26 02:11 UTC Mining unrest and illegal mining disputes in Bolivia

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